The Fifth Cellar (Phantom of the Opera)

Chapter 43 - The Cost

Erik's POV:

I couldn't think. She was only eight months along. The baby was coming early. Daroga fled the room and I knew he was going after the doctor. I picked up Eva and laid her on the bed. I sat down beside her and held her hand. Fear was in her eyes and I whispered,

“It will okay! You will be fine. Don't worry. Just keep pushing. The doctor will be here soon.” She screamed and I held that hand like it was a life line. Thirty minutes later the doctor arrive. It was then I realized I didn't have my mask on. I was about to make a break for it when Daroga handed me my mask while the doctor was heating water. I shot him a grateful look but never had the chance to thank him because Eva screamed. That is all I heard for the next sixteen hours. Screaming. Screaming. Screaming. Screaming. Every time a scream came from Eva it tore at my heart. I bit my lip and tried to keep from screaming from the pain my heart was going through. I looked toward her and saw her tossing her head. She looked at me and I squeezed her hand. I tried to convey with my eyes when I couldn't say with my lips. She seemed to scowl at the mask but didn't have to argue. Finally I heard it. The most beautiful sound in the world. The sound of my babies first cry. I turned and saw the doctor holding her. The doctor smiled and said,

“Monsieur Destler, allow my to introduce you to your new daughter.” I was right. It was a girl. And her name was Belle. I reached for her and he handed her to me. I took one look and I knew that I couldn't have ever let her go. She was mine. Mine forever. She had her mother's red hair and one of her eyes was blue, just like her mother. But the other was golden. It was a interesting combination. Her nose was ever so slightly deformed but it didn't make her ugly like it did me. It made her beautiful and unique. I carefully handed her to Eva and I watched my exhausted bride cradle our little one. She looked up at me and said,

“Belle. It fits her. She is perfect.” She smiled at me and I brushed a lock of hair from her sweaty forehead. She wasn't looking good. She drew a shallow breath and I said,

“She is beautiful. She is ours. We will raise her up to be as good as her mother.” Eva tried to breath again. This was worrying me. I took her hand and she whispered,

“Take care of her, Erik. She will need you. This past two years have been wonderful. I love you.” She fell limp and I watched the color drain from her face. Oh no, I thought.

Evangeline's POV:

I was screaming. I couldn't do it anymore. I couldn't. It hurt too much. I looked toward Erik and he smiled. I could tell he was in pain too. This was cutting him to shreds. I scowled at the mask but finally I screamed one last time. Then I heart my baby cry. My baby. Our baby. I looked up and saw Erik reach for our child. The doctor said that it was a girl. Erik had been right all along. I was beginning to wonder what sort of genius I had married. I felt so weak. I was guessing that I was just exhausted from the hours of pushing and pain. I looked up at Erik and he handed my little girl to me. He hadn't acted out of horror so I guessed the child was perfect. She was. She had a bit both of us in her. That blue eye was filled with excitement and the golden one with mystery. I had no doubt that she would be her father's daughter. I then pronounced her name and then I began to see spots on my vision. I felt my life leaving me. I looked toward Erik and whispered my love for him. I wanted him to live for our daughter. I wasn't sure if he couldn't handle what I knew was about to happen. I smiled at him and closed my eyes. I felt nothing. Nothing at all.

Erik's POV:

I stared at my wife's limp form and I took Belle from her arms. I couldn't move. Then I screamed as I realized what had happened,

“EVA!”